Legendary Chicago Bears

George Halas

Tribune archive photo

George Halas meant everything to the sport he devoted his life to as a player, founder, owner and coach. Halas founded the Decatur Staleys in 1920, moved the team to Chicago in 1921 and then, as player-owner-coach, changed the name to the Bears, where he was coach until 1967, collecting 324 wins and six NFL titles. Halas was also instrumental in the formation of the National Football League, representing the Staleys at the first organizational meeting in Canton, Ohio. The man affectionately called Papa Bear was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963.

George Halas meant everything to the sport he devoted his life to as a player, founder, owner and coach. Halas founded the Decatur Staleys in 1920, moved the team to Chicago in 1921 and then, as player-owner-coach, changed the name to the Bears, where he was coach until 1967, collecting 324 wins and six NFL titles. Halas was also instrumental in the formation of the National Football League, representing the Staleys at the first organizational meeting in Canton, Ohio. The man affectionately called Papa Bear was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963. (Tribune archive photo)

The University of Illinois' "Galloping Ghost" played five games for Halas in 1925, signed to play in a different league and then returned to Chicago in 1929, starring for the Bears for the next five seasons. Grange, left and standing next to Halas in this 1925 photo, scored 32 career touchdowns but his biggest play was a touchdown-saving tackle in the 1933 NFL championship game that preserved a 13-10 win over the New York Giants. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963.

The University of Illinois' "Galloping Ghost" played five games for Halas in 1925, signed to play in a different league and then returned to Chicago in 1929, starring for the Bears for the next five seasons. Grange, left and standing next to Halas in this 1925 photo, scored 32 career touchdowns but his biggest play was a touchdown-saving tackle in the 1933 NFL championship game that preserved a 13-10 win over the New York Giants. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1963. (Tribune archive photo)